A civilian court-martial defense lawyer with a military defense law practice exclusively dedicated to defending military members around the world who are facing courts-martial and all types of military adverse actions and UCMJ discipline. Decades of military law experience as a former active duty military JAG defense lawyer and now as a civilian criminal defense attorney. Please also see website at: www.militaryadvocate.com.

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Wednesday, August 20, 2008

"Defend Our Marines" Website Steps Forward in Spades

Below is a re-print of a blog post on the United American Patriots blog. Please access their site, with link to blog, at:

These organizations are providing such incredibly important assistance to military families in need, based on accusations of "war crimes" out of armed conflict in the Middle East! We owe them our thanks, and we owe the soldiers they assist our respect and support.

Major Bill Donahue (USMC, retired) heads United American Patriots, a national non-profit 501(c) 3 organization and its Warrior Fund project. His mission is to ensure justice for soldiers and Marines accused of crimes arising out of combat in Iraq.

Donahue speaks with passion about his cause. And he speaks with understandable pride about his successes. Donations from Warrior Fund were crucial to the recent exonerations of Sgt. Leonardo Treviño and Sgt. 1st Class Trey Corrales. Regarding contributions from across America, lawyer Rich Stevens said “you all played a part in these victories”.

“My Board of Directors and I are doing this because we know that the government isn’t giving our troops a fair shake,” Donahue says. “We also know that our soldiers and Marines already have the deck stacked against them. When a sitting congressional representative, John Murtha, can publicly proclaim our Marines as being ‘cold-blooded murderers’ even before any investigation begins, it is evident that politics is playing a major hand in these prosecutions. Either patriotic Americans step forward with money they would otherwise spend at the movies or these troop’s families will have to mortgage their lives to pay for an adequate civilian legal defense. JAG-appointed attorneys are notoriously inexperienced in these sorts of cases. We know times are tough for many citizens, but think about how tough spending the rest of your life in a military prison would be like–for just doing your duty.”

As has been reported extensively by Nat Helms for Defend Our Marines, the Third Battle of Fallujah will take place in courtrooms.

Jose Nazario will go on trial in civilian court in just two weeks (Donahue’s organization is shouldering the lion’s share of his legal fees). Nazario is charged voluntary manslaughter for the deaths of insurgents inside a house during combat operations. He is also charged with a long list of lesser charges including “knowingly using and carrying a firearm”.

As a Marine, Nazario faced the full might of the Iraq insurgency. Now, as a defendant, he faces the full might (and unlimited resources) of the United States government. Nazario’s resources are practically nonexistent, but Bill Donahue aims to tip the scales just a little by raising cash for his defense.

Here’s how you can help.

Go online to the Warrior Fund (www.unitedamericanpatriots.org) and donate now (just write “Jose Nazario Defense Fund” in the comment field during the checkout process). Or if, you prefer, send a check, to…

United American Patriots Inc.

Attn: Warrior Fund / Jose Nazario case

5817 Starboard Drive, Suite 100

Greensboro NC 27410

Defend Our Marines will match the first $1,000 dollar-for-dollar with a $1,000 contribution of our own.

We’ve never made such a direct appeal for help here on Defend Our Marines but are doing so now because we believe that Jose Nazario deserves the thanks of a grateful nation, not the prospect of life in prison.

We also believe in Bill Donahue as a man who is totally committed to justice. And we believe neither Jose nor his family should have to forfeit their lives in financial ruin to prove his innocence.

It’s urgent and imperative that the defenders of our nation receive just treatment from the citizens they’d give their lives to protect. If you agree, please step up today. Without your help, a good man like Nazario will never have the justice he so richly has earned.

[Blog Note: True to his word, David Allender has sent UAP a personal check for $1,000.00. And, through his website, he has raised more than $830.00 more for Nazario's defense. David is a true American Patriot]

----------------------------------------By: Attorney Richard V. StevensCivilian criminal defense lawyer and military defense lawyerMilitary Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, PChttp://www.militaryadvocate.comBlog postscript: Attorney Frank Spinner and I (attorney Richard Stevens) are former active duty military lawyers (JAG). Our perspectives and advice, therefore, are based upon our experience as military defense lawyers and as civilian criminal defense lawyers practicing exclusively in the area of military law. This blog addresses issues in military law, military justice, military discipline, military defense, court-martial practice, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and other military and/or legal topics. Nothing posted in this blog should be substituted for legal advice in any particular case. If you seek legal advice for a particular case, please contact The Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens & The Law Office of Frank J. Spinner for a free consultation.

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About Me

Attorney
Richard V. Stevens (Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, PC) is
a civilian court-martial defense lawyer and former active duty military attorney
(JAG). The content of his website and blog are based on his
experience as a military defense lawyer and as a civilian criminal defense
lawyer practicing exclusively in the area of military law. The blog
addresses issues in military law, military justice, military discipline,
military defense, court-martial practice, military trials, military appeals, the
Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and other military and/or legal topics.
Nothing posted in the blog should be substituted for legal advice in any
particular case. The military defense law offices are located in Northern Florida (Pensacola, Ft Walton, Destin area). The
military defense law practice is worldwide; traveling to wherever the client is
stationed when necessary.